Cyclist tried to return to sidewalk before collision with semi

The woman cyclist who was struck by a semi Monday afternoon while crossing an intersection was attempting to return to the sidewalk when the collision occurred.

Winnipeg police said it appears the 25-year-old cyclist believed the southbound rig was continuing through the intersection as she entered it and she only realized too late that it was turning towards her.

PHIL HOSSACK / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

A Winnipeg police officer removes a bike from the scene of a collision between a bicycle and a semi-trailer truck on Monday afternoon. Photo Store

Winnipeg Police Service spokesman Const. Jason Michalyshen said the woman was taken to hospital in critical condition but was later upgraded to guarded and her condition is continuing to improve.

Michalyshen said the 37-year-old driver of the rig has been co-operative and it doesn’t appear at this time that any charges will be laid.

"This, quite simply, appears to be an accident at this point," Michalyshen said during this morning news briefing. "We are sharing the roadway between cyclists and motorists and potentially that’s a recipe for disaster if we’re not all cautious and careful and courteous to one another."

The collision occurred at about 4:30 p.m. Monday, at the intersection of Keewatin Street and Notre Dame Avenue. The woman had been riding, southbound, on the sidewalk and was attempting to cross the intersection.

The rig was also heading southbound and attempting to make a westbound turn onto Notre Dame.

Michalyshen said it appears the woman initially believed the rig was proceeding straight through the intersection and when she realized it was turning towards her she attempted to turn her bike around and return to the sidewalk.

"The cyclist may have assumed the truck was continuing southbound and was not aware that the truck was actually going to make a westbound turn," Michalyshen said. "Within a very short period of time, it was clear (to her) that this truck was turning. It was too late for her to retreat back to the sidewalk where she would have been safe. It appears she made an effort to do so, however, the truck made contact with the bike, causing significant damage to the bike and causing significant injuries to the victim."

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